Although cooler fall temperatures are coming, which local experts say usually drives down mosquito populations, one researcher says Calgary isn’t totally in the clear yet A relatively new species is likely hitting its peak population now, according to John Soghigian, an assistant professor of parasitology at the University of Calgary. The Culex pipiens, also referred to … Read more
They lurk in the murky depths of some of Alberta’s biggest rivers, living fossils from when giant lizards strode the earth. But a prominent fisheries biologist fears the province’s lake sturgeon may finally share the fate of the dinosaurs because of growing pressure on water resources. “The more you shrink the area in which a … Read more
Jasper National Park is beloved for its breathtaking mountain landscapes — and the special opportunity to see iconic animals such as elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears and, with luck, endangered woodland caribou. But this week, as thousands of visitors and locals alike fled raging wildfires that ripped through the park and its town, … Read more
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is seeking feedback on a draft of its national strategy on Atlantic salmon. The goal of the strategy is to restore and maintain Atlantic salmon populations and habitats. The deadline to submit feedback on the draft is July 30, with the department aiming to publish it by the fall. “We hope that the strategy will bring back … Read more
In the spring of 2023, a Parks Canada team strung electric fence along a section of the Trans Canada Highway from Lake Louise to the boundary between B.C. and Alberta. It was part of an attempt to help keep animals including a beloved white grizzly bear named Nakoda away from the dangers of the road. … Read more
For rats in Ottawa’s Heron Park neighbourhood, Melanie Giroux has become something like the Grim Reaper. Giroux estimates she’s trapped and killed many hundreds of the rodents since her backyard became infested in 2021. That year alone, she bagged nearly 500 using black reusable traps. Despite that prolific record, Giroux said it hasn’t gotten any easier. “You … Read more
A family of polar and grizzly bear hybrids, or grolars, in Canada’s western Arctic — which all started with a “pretty strange” female polar bear — is “quite rare,” according to a new study. The research paper, published last week in the journal Conservation Genetics Resources, used a new tool to look at samples from … Read more
Two new studies are highlighting what researchers say is the harmful effect of log booms — floating structures that contain logs before processing — on fish habitats in B.C. rivers. A report from the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the B.C. Conservation Foundation (BCCF), led by the Cowichan Tribes, finds the presence of log booms at the mouth of the … Read more
Scientists have taken a clue from a carnival stunt known as the Wall of Death to help future astronauts on the moon stay healthy. But instead of riding motorcycles, moon colonists will simply run around the walls. For decades, carnival goers have been thrilled at the spectacle of stunt drivers taking motorcycles and even cars up … Read more
Our planet is changing. So is our journalism. Keep up with the latest news on our Climate and Environment page. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox every Thursday. This week: Climate change is forcing chimps to confront their fears An award-winning photo captures a devastating fire season New Brunswick moves to pay farmers for conservation … Read more
